Defenceman John-Michael Liles, back with the Maple Leafs, never once got down on himself or asked to be traded despite having been an NHL veteran stuck in the AHL for most of the season.

“I haven’t asked (about a trade),” said Liles. “I’m sure me being down there isn’t what they planned on. It’s one of those things. It’s such a weird year with the cap coming down.

Buried in the minors with a $3.75 million average salary — some say for salary cap reasons, some say because the veteran fell out of favour with Leafs coach Randy Carlyle — Liles has played well. He has three goals and 10 assists in 16 games, and is a plus-9.

“For me, it’s about focusing on playing, wherever that is,” said Liles. “That’s all you can control, how you play. I’ve had a good experience with the Marlies thus far.

“But it’s nice to be back here.”

Liles’ strength is his puck-moving ability and offence, an area where Leaf defenders have struggled. The Leafs have three goals from defencemen so far this year: Two from Dion Phaneuf and one from Paul Ranger.

Liles was paired with Mark Fraser in practice Friday, an indication he’ll play Saturday in Ottawa.

The 33-year-old gives the Leafs eight defencemen on their roster. Rookie Morgan Rielly was a healthy scratch on Thursday. It is still possible the Leafs loan Rielly to the Canadian national junior team.

“It’s not really on my mind too much,” said Rielly about the possibility of playing for Canada. “I’m just worried about the team here. I haven’t talked to anybody about playing for Team Canada.”

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